Karola Geiß-Netthöfel was born and brought up in the Ruhr Metropolis. She studied legal studies at the renowned University of Münster and after her second state examination she headed a number of reorganisation projects in the administration of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as at the Arnsberg district government (regional development, business development, municipal supervision and building inspection).
Later she was appointed vice-president of the district government with special responsibilities for integrating regional authorities into the Arnsberg district government, such as personnel development, organisation and process optimisation, and also the development of a strategy concept within a team of administrative managers.
With all these competencies Mrs. Geiß-Netthöfel took up the post of Director of the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) in 2011, becoming responsible for over 5.1 mio. people in 53 cities: as the acting Director she, the cities and other stake-holders enthusiastically were shaping the transformation: today, former sites of the steel and mining industries have become locations for new companies, cultural events and leisure experiences. By initiating the international “City of Cities” marketing campaign, Mrs. Geiß-Netthöfel personal office promoted a new innovative image of the Ruhr Metropolis area – both nationally and internationally.